YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown on Tuesday released the names of 34 priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor since the diocese was established in 1943.
The diocese said those priests have been reported to police.
“I am very sorry that the Church has failed to act aggressively to eliminate this evil,” Bishop George V. Murry said in a statement. “I humbly ask forgiveness from the victims and their families for the grave mistakes the Church has made.”
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Nine of the priests were accused after they died, the diocese said. Another nine have died since accusations were made against them.
Two Diocese of Pittsburgh priests named in a Pennsylvania grand jury report documenting widespread sexual abuse in six dioceses subsequently moved to the Youngstown area after being accused, according to the Youngstown diocese. Those priests are Robert Castelucci and Anthony Cipola, who is now dead.
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